Bridges That Transform: What WeLearned in Mexico with ICEX Desafía

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During two weeks, part of the Human AI Tech team participated in the Desafía Mexico program, promoted by ICEX and Red.es, an itinerary designed to connect Spanish startups with one of the most vibrant innovation ecosystems in Latin America.

Our CEO, María Beunza, and our Head of Innovation, Iñigo Benito, traveled through Mexico City and Monterrey with a clear purpose: to continue building an ethical artificial intelligence that enhances human development, learning —and collaborating— with top-level educational institutions, business organizations, and public actors.

This is the summary of a trip that confirms something essential: innovation grows when cultures, perspectives, and shared challenges meet.

Mexico City: education, talent, and a warm welcome

The first stop was Mexico City, where the agenda focused on the intersection between ethical AI, education, and talent.

Meeting with Grupo Educa of the Red Aprende

A space filled with valuable questions about how AI can support teachers, school leaders, and students in the development of socio-emotional competencies from the classroom. The conversation revealed a shared interest: when technology is placed at the service of well-being, the educational community responds with openness and a forward-looking vision.

Visit to Grupo Gigante at the ICEX headquarters

We were able to present our evidence-based approach and understand how major Mexican organizations integrate innovation into their talent and organizational culture strategies.

In these first days, an intuition was confirmed: Latin America is fertile ground for driving a human-centered AI.

Monterrey: applied research, educational technology, and public policy

The second stage of the trip took us to Monterrey, where collaboration with educational and governmental actors opened new possibilities.

Work with Tecnológico de Monterrey

We participated in sessions with companies, organizations, and members of Tec itself who were interested in our solutions. The dialogue with César Sánchez and Rodrigo Correa, from the Institute for the Future of Education (IFE), was especially inspiring:

  • we explored opportunities for applied research,
  • technology transfer initiatives,
  • and the creation of joint ecosystems for education and innovation.

As our CEO shared, these sessions were not only for presenting but also for listening: understanding the real challenges related to talent, education, and socio-emotional well-being in the Mexican context.

Visit to the IFE Living Lab

A space where educational technology with real impact is tested. Here, we were able to delve deeper into how AI can contribute to measuring and developing human competencies in real and diverse contexts.

Meetings with the Government of Nuevo León

We met with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Equality, discussing solutions that strengthen employability, well-being, and talent in the state. Our thanks to Cristóbal Cárdenas, from the Nuevo León entrepreneurship ecosystem, for opening such meaningful doors.

Meeting with CAINTRA Nuevo León

The dialogue with the Chamber of Commerce allowed us to explore collaborations with the business sector to promote the development of human capital based on measurable and actionable socio-emotional competencies.

A common thread: innovation with purpose

Throughout the trip, something appeared in every conversation: educational technology makes sense when it enhances human development.

At Human AI Tech, we deeply believe this:

  • when it helps better understand students, teachers, and teams;
  • when it sheds light on the socio-emotional competencies that sustain learning and coexistence;
  • when it is integrated with ethics and scientific evidence.

This trip confirmed that Mexico is building a vibrant ecosystem where science, education, and humanistic innovation can grow together.

Thanks to those who made it possible

ICEX and Red.es, for driving Desafía Mexico.

New Ventures, for creating real bridges between projects, institutions, and opportunities.

All the organizations, educational institutions, and professionals who welcomed us with generosity, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit.

We return with new questions and new alliances

We return to Spain with the certainty that this trip was just the beginning. Because building an ethical and human-centered AI requires more than technology: it requires alliances, listening, and diverse perspectives.

We will continue building bridges between Spain, Mexico, and all of Latin America to move toward a more human, more conscious, and better-prepared education for the future.